Modern English Macbeth Ebook Sample: Act 3, Scene 4

The huge doors of the glittering state dining room opened and the King and Queen stood there, smiling. Behind them the long table was set for a banquet. The anteroom was crowded: everyone of importance in Scotland had been commanded to attend – from the great thanes down to the lesser lords and their ladies – and almost everyone had obeyed.

‘You all know your own rank,’ said Macbeth. ‘Come in and sit down. From the greatest to the least you’re all most heartily welcome.’

They filed past the King and Queen and took their seats: the more powerful a man was the nearer he sat to the royal couple at the head of the table.

When they were all seated Macbeth stood up and smiled round at them.

‘Ourself will mingle with you and play the humble host,’ he said. He swung round and beamed down at his radiant queen. ‘Our hostess will keep her place for now: she will receive you later.’

‘Greet our friends for me, Sir,’ she said, ‘for I welcome them with all my heart.’

While acknowledging the clapping and table thumping, Macbeth glanced up at the doorway and saw that a new face had appeared among those of the servants. It was one of the murderers.

‘See?’ Macbeth said to his wife. ‘They greet you in turn with their hearts’ thanks.’

Lady Macbeth smiled graciously at the applauding guests. When the noise had subsided Macbeth spoke again.

‘Both sides are even, then. Enjoy yourselves. In due course we’ll drink a round of toasts.’

He made his way to the doorway, stopping every now and then to greet one of the guests, until he stood beside the murderer.

‘There’s blood on your face!’ he said.

‘It’s Banquo’s then.’

‘It’s better outside you than inside him. Has he been dealt with?’

‘My Lord, his throat is cut. I did that for him.’

‘You’re the best of the cut-throats. But whoever did the same for Fleance would be even better. If you did that you would be the best of them all.’

‘Most Royal Sir.’ The murderer came closer. ‘Fleance escaped.’

Macbeth stared at him. He felt one of his fits of terror coming on. Just when everything was going perfectly; when he was feeling safe – as firm as marble, as solid as rock, as free as air. Now, suddenly, he was enclosed, cramped, full of the most painful fears and doubts.

‘But Banquo’s safe?’

‘Yes, my Lord, quite safe, buried in a ditch with twenty deep gashes in his head – each one of them enough to kill him.’

‘Thanks for that,’ said Macbeth.

Banquo’s death was all very well but Fleance was the issue: he was the mature snake – his escape breeding venom in time – even though it had no teeth at present. There was only one thing in the world to be feared – the seed of Banquo.

‘Go now,’ he said. ‘We’ll talk again tomorrow.’

Lady Macbeth watched him and became concerned when he stopped halfway to his chair and seemed to be lost in thought. She got up and went to him. ‘My royal Lord,’ she said. ‘You’re neglecting your guests. They might as well be at an inn, paying for their meal, without the warmth of your hospitality. If it was just food they wanted they could have stayed at home. Ceremony adds flavour to the meat: without it it’s tasteless.’

‘Thanks for reminding me,’ said Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth went back to her place and Macbeth clapped his hands loudly. ‘Now!’ he said. ‘Bon appetite! And your good health!’ He took a tankard from a table and raised it. They all stood up and drank.

Lennox, who sat at the top end of the table, signaled him to return and sit. He walked towards his old friend who was seated beside Ross.

‘All the greatest in the land would be under one roof if we had been honoured with Banquo’s presence,’ he said. ‘I hope I’ll have cause to confront him for his discourtesy rather than pity him for any accident.’

‘He is at fault for breaking his promise,’ said Ross. Ross indicated the vacant chair beside Lady Macbeth’s. ‘Will it please your Highness to grace us with your royal company?’

Ross sprang to his feet. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, rise: his Highness is not well.’

‘Sit!’ cried Lady Macbeth. She was moving fast to her husband. ‘Sit, worthy friends. His Majesty is often like this – has been since childhood. Please, just stay seated. It’s only a brief fit. He’ll be himself again in an instant. Take no notice of him: if you give it too much attention it will make him worse. Carry on eating and take no notice of him.’

She reached his side: she took his arm and spoke urgently into his ear. ‘Are you a man?’

‘Yes, and a bold one, daring to look at something that would frighten the devil!’

Lady Macbeth dragged him to the side of the hall. The guests had turned back to their conversations.

‘What nonsense!’ she said. ‘This is just a picture of your fear – the same thing as the dagger which you told me led you to Duncan. Come on, now – these outbursts are ridiculous, far more suitable for women telling winter’s tales. You should be ashamed of yourself.’